Our Mission

  • Promote the advancement of aviation and women in aviation.

  • Honor our unique history of women pilots.

  • Provide education opportunities, scholarships, mutual support, and camaraderie.

  • Share our passion for flight.

Our mission is in support of the New York-New Jersey Section, part of Ninety-Nines International.

 
 

Our History

Pictured above is the first meeting of The Ninety-Nines on November 2, 1929 at Curtiss Field, Valley Stream, Long Island, New York. Of the 117 licensed women pilots of the day, 99 became charter members of the organization and took their name from that number. The membership was international from the beginning and Amelia Earhart was elected the first president.

The Beginnings of the New Jersey Chapter

Our chapter was originally chartered on September 1st, 1974 as the Palisades Chapter of the NY-NJ Section, with 27 members, one of whom continues to fly today! It was later changed to the North Jersey Chapter of the 99s, until it was recently renamed as the New Jersey Chapter. 

Notable women who have been in our chapter include WASP members AJ Starr, Kay Hilbrandt, Bucky Richards, and Bernice Haydu. 

Our chapter currently covers the state of New Jersey, including parts of NYC and Philadelphia Class B airspaces, Atlantic City Class C airspace, and the Hudson River Route.

 

Our Chapter

  • We gather monthly, usually one evening during the first week of the month at 7:00 pm. Currently we are rotating the location of the meetings, so check back to the calendar regularly for the latest updates. Meetings are hybrid, conducted both in-person and using Zoom. Members on our email list will get a zoom invite each month. All women pilots and future women pilots are invited to attend.

  • Our chapter includes student pilots, pilots who fly for fun, career pilots including corporate, airline and flight instructors. Our members may also be involved in Civil Air Patrol, EAA, Women in Aviation, Patient Airlift Services (PALS), Angel Flight, Pilots N Paws, and more.

  • Fundraising events include Poker Runs, Pennies/Pound, and Fly-out Challenges. Activities include participation in the NY-NJ Section of the 99s and International, fly-outs and summertime ramp gatherings. Educational events provided include opportunities for the general public and FAA Safety Seminars for student pilots and the pilot community.

  • We are a support network for new and learning pilots, providing encouragement along the way, excitement when goals are met, and scholarships to help with flight training. Many friendships have been forged through our activities, and great memories created!

  • Our chapter has been proud to award the 99’s New Jersey Chapter Scholarship annually since 1996. Learn about current scholarship opportunities here.

  • Airmarkings include compass roses and airport designations. Check out the video below of an example compass rose airmarking, video courtesy of the Greater Kansas City 99s Chapter.

 

Chapter Officers

Thank You! To our Retiring Board

(L-R) Barbara Sobczyk, Sue Westervelt, Julie Somers, and Linda Scully.

Welcome! To the New 2024-25 Board

Elected This Year:
Chair: Kelly Hilberth
Vice Chair: Pending
Secretary: Jennifer Baran
Treasurer: Shirley Onacilla
Director: Kim Barwick
Director: Mira Wilson

(L-R) Francine Garcia, Mira Wilson, Jennifer Baran, Kelly Hilberth, Linda Scully, Kim Barwick, Sarah Crosby
Not pictured: Shirley Onacilla, Jessica Daisy

Our Chapter Officers

Every pilot has a crew …